By contrast, the total votes cast for the Conservatives was 4,198,000, down from 4,397,000 four years ago, a drop of less than 200,000. UKIP lost 150,000 votes, and the Lib Dems lost 372,000.

In perhaps the most symbolic defeat, Labour failed to finish first in Wales, coming in second behind the Conservatives. It was the first time the Tories have topped a national poll in Wales, and the first time Labour has failed to do so since 1918.

David Cameron, the Tory leader, hailed that result yesterday, saying: "Not since the time of Lloyd George has a party other than Labour won in Wales and today it is the Conservative Party."

Labour also finished second in Scotland, beaten by the Scottish National Party. It was only the second time Labour has failed to come first in Scottish voting for more than 50 years. In all the SNP secured 29.1 per cent of Scottish votes, with Labour on 20.8 per cent.

In several Scottish constituencies held by Labour MPs, the SNP easily polled more votes than Labour. They included Edinburgh South West, the seat of Alistair Darling, the Chancellor. In East Renfrewshire, the seat of Jim Murphy, the Scottish Secretary, Labour came third.

In Glasgow, where Labour shortly faces a by-election in the seat of Michael Martin, the departing Commons Speaker, Labour only just managed to beat the SNP, by 30.7 per cent to 27.9 per cent.

Another result that spread fear among Labour MP was in the West Midlands, the region where many of the marginal seats that will decide the next general election are located. There, the Labour vote fell to 17 per cent and the party came third.

In two English regions, the south-east and the south-west, Labour finished fifth, beaten by the Lib Dems and even the Greens.

In the south-west, Labour took only 7.7 per cent of the vote, losing its last MEP in the region.

In the east of England, Labour came fourth with 10.5 per cent.

The only region where Labour came top was the north east. Even there its 25 per cent share of the vote was down 9.1 per cent from 2004.